Your eye test We take vision seriously. Which is why an eye test is the most important service we provide.
Before seeing your Optometrist, you'll have an eye health screening, which will include a check for any underlying eye conditions, as well as wider helth issues, such as diabetes.
It's important that you tell your Optometrist about your general health and any medication you may be taking. That's because certain medical conditions and prescription drugs can affect your vision. We'll also ask about any family-related health problems.
The technology Although the names may be unfamiliar, these are the pieces of equipment used most often in an eye test. If you have any questions about our testing equipment, your Optometrist will be happy to explain.
Autorefractor Although taking just a few seconds, the autorefractor test can determine if you need prescription glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision. It does so by gauging the eye's focusing power and how it processes light.
Non-contact tonometer This essential bit of equipment is used to measure the pressure inside your eyes, based on their resistance to a puff of air. It provides valuable information about the health of your eyes and can highlight more serious vision problems, such as glaucoma.
Digital retinal photography This gives us a detailed photograph of the back of your eyes. This can reveal a lot about your eyesight, your overall well-being and can even detect underlying health conditions. It also gives us a permanent record of your eye health.
Visual field screener This is used to determine if you have any 'blind spots' within your peripheral vision. During the test, you'll be asked to look at a spot in the centre of the machine and respond to the lights flashing around this central target.
Snellen chart The Snellen test uses the familiar chart which has a series of letters of different sizes, ranging from the largest at the top to the smallest letters at the bottom. During this test, you'll be asked to read from the chart to determine the accuracy of your eyesight.
Retinoscope By observing how the eye processes a beam of light, the retinoscope can determine if you are nearsighted, longsighted or have an astigmatism. It also helps your Optometrist determine the proper prescription of any corrective lenses that might be needed.
Fixation disparity test In some cases, eye sight can vary between eyes. To measure how well your eyes work together we do a fixation disparity test. This determines how much correction may be needed to balance your eyesight, which is done with a prism in the lenses of your glasses.
Slit lamp/Volk lens By shining a thin sheet of light into the eye, these two instruments provide a magnified and detailed 3D view of the eye structure, from the front right to the optic nerve at the back. They are often used in conjunction with a hand-held ophthalmoscope.
After your test When the eye test is completed, your Optometrist will go through the results with you. This will include a discussion about your eye health and whether you need corrective lenses or, if you already wear glasses, a change of prescription. Of course, they'll also answer any questions you have related to your vision.
Contact lenses If your vision does need correcting, contact lenses are a convenient alternative to glasses, especially if you have an active lifestyle. You will, however, need to have an initial assessment with one of our specialist contact lens optometrists. This can be booked on the day of your eye test or online at a later date.
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New glasses? If you need glasses, or would like a new look to go with your new prescription, we have a wide range of frames to suit all tastes and budgets, including the largest choice of designer frames on the high street. With the help of an optical assistant, you'll find a pair that's just right for you. And we'll make any minor alterations to the frames to ensure the best possible fit.
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